Twins Research Australia: Statement on Coronavirus

Published: Wednesday 25 March 2020

Dear TRA members, partners and supporters

As a member of the TRA community, we wanted to keep you updated about how we are responding to the fast-evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

Twins Research Australia is based at the University of Melbourne where world class researchers are at the forefront of the scientific community's response to the pandemic.

TRA is continuing to work at full capacity to support our members and researchers to keep twin research going. We are also investigating how twin research can contribute to the fight against this virus through our local and global collaborations.

The health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance, and we continue to monitor and act on the advice of the Australian Government.

Below, we explain how the pandemic is impacting our research; what this means for our members; and how we can all stay connected.        

TRA studies

We are hoping to continue as many studies as possible. Under the current circumstances, this means studies that can be undertaken online. We would welcome the support of our members to enable this. Twins can register for current and upcoming studies here, many of which are online questionnaires. If you find you have extra time at home, and you are able to undertake an online study, our researchers would greatly appreciate it.

If you have volunteered for a study involving face-to-face contact, please expect this will be delayed and the researcher will be back in touch directly to update you on arrangements. If you receive an invitation from us for an upcoming study involving face-to-face contact, we’d welcome your ‘expression of interest’ at this time. We’ll then be back in touch with more details when it is possible for the study to proceed.

For example, twins who volunteer for our currently recruiting Resilience Study will be able to complete the online components of the study. If they are invited to participate in the MRI component, however, they may experience delays in scheduling of appointments. The researchers will keep everyone updated.

Contribute to the fight against COVID-19

We will also be working with our collaborators in Australia and around the world to see how our TRA community can contribute to the fight against COVID-19. Twin study designs have the potential to offer powerful and unique ways to better understand this new virus. We will keep you updated about any research, and how you can take part if you are willing and able to do so. 

Other services

Our TRA team continues to operate as many of our services as possible.  For instance, you can still contact us via www.twins.org.au, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and freecall 1800-037-021 concerning study queries, joining TRA, updating contact details etc. If you are, or know, any expectant or new parents of twins, please get in touch with us here to receive a free copy of our Twin Pregnancy Booklet.

Staying connected

Our multiple-birth community offers an incredible network of support. Please find some suggested multiple-birth-specific support services, many of which can be accessed by phone or online.

Please also stay connected with us through our wonderful Facebook community of nearly 14,000 twins, multiple-birth parents, and their families; or via our Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

For the most accurate and latest advice and guidance on the coronavirus situation, please visit the Australian Government’s webpage here or call the National Coronavirus Helpline (operating 24 hours, seven days a week) on 1800-020-080.

TRA, our researchers and partners, twin members and their families have supported each other and contributed to better health for Australians for nearly 40 years - together we are stronger. Our shared concern and care will help us through this.

From the whole team at Twins Research Australia, we send you and your family our heartfelt best wishes to stay safe and healthy.

All our best

Professor John Hopper, Director
Assoc/Prof Jeff Craig, Deputy Director
Kate Murphy, Deputy Director
And All The Twins Research Australia Team

If you have any further questions, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.